Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a self-proclaimed proponent of “illiberal democracy”, is often characterised by his aggressive stance toward the West and was expected to use the talks to boost bilateral ties with Eastern partners.
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00:00 The sound of trumpets in Budapest on Hungary's national day.
00:04 Thousands of spectators lined the banks of the Danube on Sunday to witness the pomp and
00:08 pageantry including an air show over the Houses of Parliament.
00:12 Across the water, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban took the occasion to host 15
00:17 Balkan and Asian leaders at the capital's Carmelite monastery.
00:22 In a closed-door meeting, Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly
00:26 discussed bilateral cooperation and the war in Ukraine.
00:30 Secrecy aside, the editor-in-chief of Turkish news outlet TurkInfo says Budapest is the
00:35 bridge between Ankara and Europe.
00:37 "It is very important for Turkey to establish relations with the West.
00:44 Although Turkey has good relations with Russia, China and the Middle East, it is not a good
00:54 place to have relations with Russia.
00:56 However, the main focus of the talks was on the West, and the West is interested in the
01:02 German economy and the German gas industry."
01:05 Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Sziharto says Orban's main focus during Sunday's talks
01:09 was his country's energy security.
01:12 Sziharto has reportedly agreed that the flow of gas from Serbia to Hungary will have to
01:17 be increased if Ukraine terminates its gas transit contract with Russia.
01:21 The Turkish President and the Asian and Balkan leaders' invitation to the national celebration
01:26 indicates that Orban is trying to deepen his economic and political ties with the region.
01:33 Senuda Nora, Euronews, Budapest.
01:36 [WHOOSH]